THE WRECK OF THE OF THE
SHIP JASON AND HER BELL
There are thousands of shipwrecks on the outer side of Cape Cod. It is said that one could walk from wreck to wreck without touching ground. On December 3rd 1893 occurred probably the second worse wreck on the coast of Cape Cod, that of the British ship JASON.
​
The JASON was one of the A & J Carmichael's Golden Fleece Iron Clippers, launched in 1870. She was in the Australian wool trade and brought cargos from all over the world.
​
In April 1893 she was bringing a cargo of jute from India to Boston when she was almost lost in a huge storm. The JASON limped into Mauritius, being jury rig and rudder. It
​
wreck of the JASON 1893
​
​
As the JASON approached the Cape, a storm gathered strength and McMillian believed he was 10 miles from Cape Cod, bore due west. Suddenly the ghostly form the land appeared and McMillian knew his ship was imminent danger and he set topsails in an attempt to weather the Cape.
The lifesaving stations had already spotted the hazy form of the JASON with in destress moving northward, but being driven closer to to shore with each minute. Finally at the Pamet River Station, the JASON stuck in a blinding snow storm. There had been no preparation to lower boats. The crew of twenty-five climbed the mizzen rigging, then a huge wave lifted the hull and upon coming down, torn the ship in two. The main mast came down bringing with it the mizzen and all the crew save the captain who was last seen at the rail.
19 year old Samuel Evans was the only survivor. He was found by keeper John Rich clinging to a bale of jute. He was taken to the Pamet River Station where he was provided with warm clothes and food. It was Evans testimony that filled in the details of what occurred on the JASON. He returned to England, but shortly thereafter went back to sea, but tragically was killed in a fall.
​
Over the next days, the beach was littered with wreckage. Anything of value would have been salvaged and numerous bits were picked up as souvenirs.
​
​
wasn't until September that the JASON resumed her voyage from Port Louis, under her new Captain, McMillian. Her previous master had been injured during the storm and returned to England.
THE BELL
In 2021 a maritime auction was held in London. Among a group of ship's bells was one we recognized. Engraved on the front was the name JASON 1870. A small watchbell in an ornate mount which would have been fitted on the wheelbox at the ship's stern.
We purchased the bell and brought it back to Cape Cod. One can only speculate how her bell got back to England. Obviously it could have been found in the wreckage. It also could have been removed while the ship was being repair at Port Louis and brought beck by her previous commander.
A TRIP TO ENGLAND
We recently returned from a research trip to the UK, visiting the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich London as well as Portsmouth Historic Dockyard where we were granted access to examples of historic ship carving not seen by the public.
At the National Maritime Museum we met with an old friend, the grand 18th century lion figurehead.
​
Among a handful of surviving examples, this lion is the finest, dating from the first half of the 18th century. The figurehead had been in the collection of the Clarke family in Devon since the 18th century.
In 1970 the lion was sold at auction for the modest sum of about 1300 GBP. The museum was the under bidder but when the high bidder's check bounced, the lion was offered to the NMM where he was restored to his present state.
At Portsmouth Historic Dockyard we were given access to this pair of magnificent 18th century quarter gallery stern carving depicting justice and knowledge. These carving had previously been mounted outside the admiral's residence.
SHIP'S BELLS
Ship's bell from the steamship PHILADELPHIA 1849
Bells have been used aboard ship's since around the 15th century. The earliest documented bell existing is that from the Mary Rose, Henry VIII's Tudor warship dated 1510.
Merchant sailing vessels generally carried two bells: a small bell mounted aft near the helm called a watch bell and a large bell carried forward.
Early naval vessels generally carried but one large bell, but in the 20th century carried 2 or 3. There use was to mark the beginning and end of sailor's watches, as alarms, fog and for divine service.
Ship's bells are highly sought after, especially those with important historical connections. Among shipwreck divers and marine archeologists, it is the one artifact most sought after. If marked, will identify the wreck. Bells from shipwrecks rarely come on the market as they are so coveted by their finders.
From the 18th century onward bells from merchant ships were often marked with the vessel's name and date and occasionally with home port and maker. Early bells were cast with raised letters, but around the early 19th century they began to be engraved with the vessel's name. Bells from British and American warships did not begin to mark the vessels name until around the middle of the 19th century. Prior to that, British naval bells would generally be marked with a "Broad Arrow" and sometimes with a foundry mark. American naval bells would not be marked except possibly by the foundry. As a result, few if any early American naval bells can be identified.
​
​
​
Most bells are not embellished with decoration. Some do have flourishes engraved around the names like the one pictured above. However, early European bells were often highly decorated with cast frieze and other embellishments.
Bell from the Swedish East India ship Adolph Frederick 1766 showing the typical decorations on early European ship's bells
Bell from the steamship GREAT BRITAIN with dolphin support
Simple mount typically used for American ship's bells.
Early ship's bells were hung in a wood belfry with a wood or cast iron headstock much like a church bell. Later, the wood belfry was replaced by a simpler cast iron or brass mount. Around the middle of the 19th century British and European bells were hung in elaborate supports often depicting dolphins. American bells were simply hung.
Most of the ship's bells on the market today come from cargo and tankers broken up in Asia. Many find their way to Ebay. Other common ship bells are surplus US Navy bells dating from the 20th century. They are generally mark "USN" or "US". Late 19th and 20th century Royal Navy bells are also commonly available. They are generally engraved with the vessel's name.
​
Merchant ship's bells from the 19th century occasionally are available. British and European being the most common. 18th century examples are extremely rare. Early marked American bells are quite scarce as thrifty Yankees would just fit a blank bell to serve the purpose. Bells from steamboats are quite scarce. They generally are quite large and weighing hundreds of pounds. We sold one a number of years ago from the steamboat Elvira 1851 that measured 30 inches across the mouth and weighed close to 1000 pounds. It is now exhibited at the Missouri History Museum in St Louis.
Replicas and Fakes
There are many replica ship's bells available on Ebay and other outlets, but there are also modern bells often purported to be authentic 19th century examples. Below are two examples that are often offered as authentic.
.jpg)
The bell on the left is a 20th century reproduction and found with different dates and sometimes with a vessel's name. The dolphin mounted bell on the right is a reproduction that's been around for decades. It is sometimes offered as authentic.